"It's taken more than a decade but I'm delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls (I think!)," Cowell said in a statement. "Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel. It just feels like the time to do something different."

While the hires are not as high-profile last season's addition of Britney Spears — who left at the end of Season 2 along with original judge L.A. Reid — both songstresses offer experience in their new roles. Rowland, 32, spent a season on The X Factor UK in 2011, while Rubio, 41, coached contestants on the Mexican version of The Voice in 2012. The new group will waste no time getting to work as auditions kick off Tuesday, May 21 in Charleston, South Carolina.